Already there’s been no shortage of thrilling 2016 Rhônes to grab your attention, but today we have two towering bottlings that need to move to the top of your wine buying list. The 2016 Châteauneuf-du-Papes from Chapoutier are category defining efforts that are certain to reward collectors for decades upon decades to come. Chapoutier’s wines are known for ability impeccably convey a true sense of place and the Barbe Rac and Croix de Boix are no exception. Pristine, focused, and showing the wonderful ripeness of the vintage, they are precisely the kind of wines collectors for which collectors search far and wide. Jeb Dunnuck was duly impressed awarding banded scores in the high 90s and lavishing high praise on both. Not only is 2016 a vintage of a lifetime, but these are some of the highest ratings we’ve ever seen for Chapoutier’s CdPs. Previous vintages of these iconic bottles have always sold in a flash, and given the big points and the hype surrounding the 2016s as whole, we expect much the same here.

95-98 points
Jeb Dunnuck:
"Tasted out of tank, the deep ruby/purple-colored 2016 Châteauneuf-Du-Pape Barbe Rac (100% Grenache raised all in concrete) offers a deep, intense bouquet of smoke red and black fruits, garrigue, black pepper and exotic spice. A big, rich, incredibly unctuous tank sample, it has building tannin and sensational purity.The ever-active Michel Chapoutier continue to churn out a huge number of high-quality wines, both from his base in the northern Rhône, but also here in the south. While his top cuvees are always noteworthy, his value releases have soared in quality over the past few years and these are well worth your time and money." (10/2016)

96-98 points
Jeb Dunnuck:
"Last of the 2016-barrel samples, the 2016 Châteauneuf-Du-Pape Croix de Bois comes from a parcel on the eastern side of the appellation and is, as always, 100% Grenache brought up in concrete. It's similarly colored to the Barbe Rac and offers the classic ripe, pure, sexy style of the cuvée. Blackberries, blueberries, crushed herbs, pepper and beautiful minerality all emerge from this full-bodied, uber-concentrated, ultra-pure 2016 and like a lot of 2016s might just be another best yet.The ever-active Michel Chapoutier continue to churn out a huge number of high-quality wines, both from his base in the northern Rhône, but also here in the south. While his top cuvees are always noteworthy, his value releases have soared in quality over the past few years and these are well worth your time and money." (10/2017)

Jancis Robinson:
"100% Grenache. Cool and peppery on the nose. Very sweet and rich initially on the palate and then rather sophisticated in terms of structure. Polished and cool. Very refreshing." (04/2017)